Nobel Peace Prize?

On Friday, October 9, 2009 it was announced that President Obama would receive the Nobel Peace Prize. "For what?" you may ask. I am still trying to figure that one out. The official website of the Nobel Foundation states that Obama was chosen "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

There are numerous things wrong with this pick, and if I chose to go into them all, this would be the never ending blog...I don't think you'd like that very much. However, there is something inherently wrong with the explanation given by the Nobel Foundation. THAT, I will explore. Here we see the word "efforts." No, it's not just "efforts" it is "extraordinary efforts." Let's run with that...

President Obama is considered worthy of receiving such an honor because he has made an extraordinary effort to pursue a desired outcome. Fantastic! So, where are the results? I have yet to see them. Anyone can try to do something with all their might. Does that necessarily make them worthy of an honor? Or better yet, such a prestigious honor as the Nobel Peace Prize? I can make an earnest attempt daily for the rest of my life to shove my foot into a baby shoe, and I will never succeed. Does the mere fact that I tried so relentlessly make me worthy of honor? Actually, it may make me worthy of a mental institution, but that is beside the point.

I know the Peace Prize is a little more debatable that the awards for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine and Literature...the Peace Prize brings with it much more subjectivity than the others. So, let's just say it is okay to give the honor on account of efforts with no regard to results. I understand that there may be instances in which even I would agree with giving the honor based on efforts alone. So let's put that aside for now.

What's wrong with it now? I'm glad you asked.

I must go back to the beginning, where the Nobel Prize was born. Upon his death in 1896, Alfred Nobel stated in his will that 94% of his assets be liquidated (today's US dollar equivalent of $186 Million) and placed into safe securities. The interest accrued yearly would be "annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." He went on to say the interest is to be divided into five equal parts and awarded as prizes in each of the five areas we see it awarded today.

The key phrase here is "during the preceding year." Although it has been almost a year since President Obama was inaugurated, there are some issues here. We all know that a Presidential Candidate's sole purpose in life for approximately two years prior to Election Day is to campaign; from Election Day to Inauguration Day is time to prepare oneself to step into position as President; and Inauguration Day is January 20th. What we don't all know is that the deadline for Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize is February 1st. With that being said, President Obama was in fact left to make an extraordinary effort for a whopping 13 days (that includes Inauguration Day and Nomination deadline) before he was nominated. Last time I checked, 13 days was a far cry from a year. Evidently, the Nobel Committee (responsible for evaluating nominees) doesn't have any regard for the rules. I can't say for certain what they have done in the past, but they are definitely going rogue with this one.

Even our own President and recipient of this prestigious prize knows he does not deserve it. In his acceptance speech he stated that he views the decision less as a recognition of his own accomplishments and more as "a call to action."

That leads me to my final thoughts...What's the agenda here? Who is behind this? What do they hope to accomplish?